Bill to allow private schools to compete in UIL clears first hurdle

A Senate committee today narrowly approved a measure that would allow private schools to participate in the league for public school sports and academic competitions.

The Senate Education Committee voted 5-4 to approve a bill that would force the University Interscholastic League to accept private schools for district competition.

State Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, authored the measure (click here to read today’s Express-News story). He said families who are paying property taxes to public schools and help alleviate some of the state’s financial burden by paying for a private school education should be allowed participate in UIL competitions.

“This is about fairness,” he said.

The bill, which creates separate playoffs for private and public schools, now heads to the full Senate, where it could be debated as early as next week. A similar measure won approval from the Senate for the first time last session, when it cleared the upper chamber on a 28-3 vote.

“I passed this bill out of the Senate last session, and I plan to do it again.” Patrick said, acknowledging that he would have to “work hard” to secure enough votes for final passage.

“It’s an unfair advantage,” for private schools, said Gallegos, who was offered a partial scholarship in 1969 by a private school to play basketball. “The public schools don’t have the incentives to go out and recruit under a scholarship.”